Category: internationalaffairs

18 January 2019The Trade Bill begins its committee stage, the first chance for line-by-line scrutiny, in the Lords on Monday 21 January.

Members are expected to discuss the prevention of customs arrangements at borders, international trade agreements and territories forming part of a customs union with the UKBaroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) has proposed an amendment that the committee’s report is not received until the government has presented to both Houses proposals for a process for making international trade agreements once the UK is in a position to do so independently of the EU, including roles for Parliament and the devolved legislatures and administrations in relation to both a negotiating mandate and a final agreement.If agreed to this amendment would mean that the bill would complete its committee stage in the Lords but not progress to report stage until the government’s proposals are received.Lords second reading: Tuesday 11 SeptemberBaroness Meyer (Conservative), made her maiden speech.Members discussed a range of subjects covered by the bill including border arrangements in Northern Ireland, continued participation in the European medicines regulatory network and Free Trade Agreements.Trade Bill summaryThis bill aims to: Ensure the UK can implement any procurement obligations arising from the UK becoming a member of the Agreement of Government Procurement (GPA) in its own right.Assist with the implementation of UK trade agreement with assisting partner countries.Establish a new body, the Trade Remedies Authority.Allow HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to collect information confirming the number of exporters of goods and services in the UK.Establish a date sharing gateway between HMRC and other public and private bodies.Further informationImage: iStockphoto

11 January 2019The Foreign Affairs Committee hold its final evidence session on China and the international rules-based system.

So far this inquiry has covered various topics, including China’s attitude to the international economic order, China’s regional relationships, and the way in which China’s domestic affairs affect its foreign policy. The Committee may ask Mark Field about these and a range of other issues affecting UK policy towards China.WitnessesTuesday 15 January 2019, Committee Room 5, Palace of WestminsterRt Hon Mark Field MP, Minister of StateKate White, Director, Asia-Pacific DepartmentJames Kariuki, Multilateral Policy Director, Foreign and Commonwealth OfficeFurther informationImage: iStockphoto

11 January 2019The International Relations Committee takes evidence on nuclear risk, the challenges facing the current non-proliferation regime, the UK Position on the on the Ban Treaty, and the UK approach to the 2020 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

WitnessesWednesday 16 January in Committee Room 2, Palace of WestminsterAt 11.50amThe Rt Hon Lord Browne of Ladyton, former Secretary of State for Defence (2006-2008), Vice-Chair, Nuclear Threat InitiativeIssues to be discussed include:The current level of nuclear riskThe effects of the development of new technologies on the global nuclear diplomacyThe challenges facing the non-proliferation regime from Iran and North KoreaThe role of Russia in destabilisation of the non-proliferation regimeThe UK’s approach to the Ban TreatyThe UK’s position ahead of the 2020 NPT Review Conference

11 January 2019The House of Lords International Relations Committee will hold a special evidence session on recent Yemen peace talks and the UK’s response to the humanitarian crisis in the country.

WitnessesWednesday 16 January in Committee Room 2, Palace of WestminsterAt 10.40amThe Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, Minister of State for the Middle East, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Minister of State at the Department for International DevelopmentPossible questionsHow is the UK supporting the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement and discussion on the outstanding humanitarian issues?What are your expectations for the next round of negotiations, and what will be the major issues for discussion?What is your assessment of the current humanitarian situation in Yemen, and what is the UK doing to meet Yemen’s humanitarian needs?The former Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, told the Committee in January 2017 the when considering international humanitarian law, the UK was “still narrowly on the right side” of the threshold when considering the provision of arms to Saudi Arabia. Does this remain the Government’s view?

09 January 2019Members of the Lords, including a former member of the UN Secretary-General High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change and a former senior special adviser to the Foreign Secretary, will debate developments in the Western Balkans and the threat posed by instability and insecurity in that region, in the House of Lords on Thursday 10 January.

This is a general debate. During debates, members are able to put their experience to good use, discussing current issues and drawing the government’s attention to concerns.This debate will take place in the Moses Room, a room outside the Lords chamber used to host extra work. Any member can attend and participate, as with debates in the Lords chamber.The debate was proposed by Baroness Helic (Conservative), former senior special adviser to the Foreign SecretaryMembers expected to take part include:Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative), former minister of state for the Commonwealth and the UN in the Foreign and Commonwealth OfficeLord Browne of Ladyton (Labour), director VERTIC, support organisation for effective verification of international agreementsLord Hannay of Chiswick (Crossbench), former member of the UN Secretary-General High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and ChangeEarl of Sandwich (Crossbench), adviser to humanitarian aid organisation CARE InternationalLord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative), minister of state in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will respond on behalf of the government.Further informationImage: Open Street Map

09 January 2019The International Relations Committee takes evidence on the modernisation plans of nuclear weapon states and what effects they could have on the current non-proliferation and disarmament regime.

WitnessesWednesday 9 January in Committee Room 4, Palace of WestminsterAt 11.10amMr Tom Plant, Director, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Royal United Services InstitutePossible questionsIs the existence and development of nuclear weapons playing a role in the recent increase in geopolitical tensions?What are the current nuclear modernisations plans of the nuclear weapon states?To what extent do the UK’s modernisation plans differ from those of the larger nuclear powers, namely Russia and the United States?To what extent are nuclear weapon states accounting for new technologies, such as cyber, in their modernisation plans?How are the deterrence requirements of nuclear weapons states changing and what impact might this have on modernisation plans and on progress towards disarmament?Are nuclear weapon modernisation plans undermining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the wider disarmament regime? If so, how?Are there any changes the UK could make to its nuclear policies, including towards nuclear modernisation, that would make it a more responsible nuclear power?Further InformationImage: PA

07 January 2019The Foreign Affairs Committee holds an evidence session on China and the international rules-based system with two panels.

This session considers the ways in which China’s domestic affairs interact with its foreign policy, and the implications for UK engagement with China; and the present status and future of Hong Kong, including the UK’s role and responsibilities.WitnessesTuesday 8 January 2019, Committee Room 8, Palace of WestminsterAt 2.45pmProfessor Eva Pils, Professor of Law, Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College LondonPaul Roseby OBE, CEO and Artistic Director, National Youth Theatre of Great BritainProfessor Steve Tsang, Director, SOAS China InstituteProfessor Sebastian Veg, Professor of Intellectual History and Literature of 20th Century China, School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences (EHESS), ParisAt 3.45pmThe Rt Hon. the Lord Patten of Barnes CH, former Governor of Hong KongFurther informationImage: PA

18 December 2018Major shifts in the world order have widespread implications for the UK’s security, prosperity and global influence, says Lords report published today.

BackgroundFollowing a year-long inquiry the House of Lords International Relations Committee today publishes a report on new conditions now fundamentally changing international relations, and their implications for UK foreign policy.Chairman’s commentsCommenting on the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Lord Howell of Guildford said:

“International affairs are in a state of upheaval and the re-shaping and conduct of British foreign policy must respond. After a year of taking evidence from our expert witnesses we conclude that, while welcoming existing efforts to adapt, a new strategic approach and vision are both needed, led from the centre of government.“The most powerful common influence, fuelling much of this worldwide change, is the ongoing revolution in communications technology, connecting and empowering peoples, interest, causes and groups on a scale never before known.“To address this new world, and enhance the UK’S influence, a more agile, active and flexible approach to foreign policy must now be developed. We hope that the Government listend to our concerns and that this report forms part of a constructive debate about which new paths the UK should take.”

Conclusions and recommendations Major shifts in the global order to which British foreign policy and diplomacy must now respond to include:Alterations in the UK’S ‘bedrock’ relationship with the US–The US Administration has taken a number of decisions on high-profile foreign policy issues, such as the Iran nuclear deal and trade policy, which undermine the UK’s interests. The UK has struggled to influence the US, and will need to place less reliance on reaching a common US/UK approach to major foreign policy challenges. The expansion of China’s power and influence across the world. Relationships with China–The UK should work closely with China to address global challenges, while ensuring this is consistent with international humanitarian law.The need to defend and repair the rules-based international order–The UK should be a vocal champion of key institutions particularly the UN, the WTO and NATO, in the face of challenges from countries including Russia and the US. Maintaining the rules-based international order should be a central theme of UK foreign policy, as well as engaging closely with newly established networks and institutions, particularly those set up by China.New policies and initiatives to handle cyber security, cyber warfare and new types of aggression. New technologies mean that significant harm can be done to a nation without the use of traditional weaponry. Cyber warfare is an increasingly significant global challenge, and one in which the UK can be a strong player. The Committee recommends the designation of a Minister with responsibility for cyber issues across Whitehall. A revised policy to meet Russia’s constant provocations, but also maintain dialogue and cooperation on certain fronts. In the face of provocations, the UK must remain open to dialogue while and seeking to counter and deter its hostile activities.Strengthen and deploy more effectively Britain’s considerable soft power assets, woven together with a high efficiency hard power capability.Expand new ‘deep and special’ links with a fast-changing and challenged European neighbourhood.Stronger engagement with networks in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and in particular with the modern and evolving Commonwealth network. Invest more in Britain’s diplomatic capacities by re-balancing current resource patterns and ensuring much close coordination between the internationally focussed departments.Develop and communicate a strong narrative on foreign policy and on national purpose and direction. The Government should engage with the public on the demands and parameters of UK foreign policy. The National Security Council should add to its tasks the co-ordination of the Government on this domestic narrative.Further informationImage: iStockphoto

17 December 2018The International Relations Committee takes evidence on rising tensions between nuclear armed states and the fragmenting of existing non-proliferation and arms control agreements.

WitnessesWednesday 19 October in Committee Room 4, Palace of WestminsterAt 10.40amMs Sarah Price, Acting Director for Defence and International Security, Foreign and Commonwealth OfficeAt 11.40amMs Shatabhisha Shetty, Deputy Director, European Leadership NetworkMr Paul Ingram, Executive Director, British American Security Information CouncilPossible questionsHow do you see the current state of global nuclear diplomacy, and to what extent has it been challenged in recent years?Ahead of the 2020 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) what are the government’s priorities?To what extent is the development of new technologies affecting the established non-proliferation and disarmament regimes?How effectively has the UK responded to challenges to the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime, including the US withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal?How has the UK’S approach to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament developed since the entry into force of the NPT, in particular in recent years?What recommendations would you make to the Government on how to approach these issues ahead of the 2020 Review Conference?Further InformationImage: PA

13 December 2018Members of the Lords, including a member of the Lords International Relations Committee and the Labour spokesperson for international development, will debate the role of reconciliation in British foreign, defence and international development policy, in the House of Lords on Friday 14 December.

This is a general debate. During debates, members are able to put their experience to good use, discussing current issues and drawing the government’s attention to concerns.The debate was proposed by the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (Bishops).Members expected to take part include:Earl Howe (Conservative), minister of state in the Ministry of Defence, will respond on behalf of the government.Further informationImage: House of Lords 2018 / Photography by Roger Harris